Review

Song Review: Doyoung (NCT) – The Story

Posted on by 12 Comments

Doyoung - The StoryNCT’s Doyoung debuted as a soloist earlier this year with a full album. Now, he’s capping off 2024 with the release of new digital single The Story (시리도록 눈부신). Rather than reinvent the wheel, the song sounds like an extension of his previous work, drawing upon his rich vocal for an uplifting ballad.

The Story feels almost like a fan song, though its subject matter is more broad than that. It unfolds with the sweeping sound you’d expect from a good belt-it-at-the-top-of-your-lungs ballad, complete with a soaring climax that’s the aural equivalent of taking flight into the sky (imagery that just so happens to feature in the accompanying music video).

I don’t have a ton of use for a song like this in my own music library, though we can always do with a dose of open-hearted optimism. I feel like it would get the most play as an OST to a good drama, but without that added context the song feels somewhat extraneous. It’s always lovely to hear Doyoung’s vocal, though.

Hooks 8
 Production 7
 Longevity 8
 Bias 7
 RATING 7.5

Grade: C

12 thoughts on “Song Review: Doyoung (NCT) – The Story”

  1. I remember what optimism used to feel like…

    Ngl it’s a dark day but I did really appreciate this song. It sounds beautiful and I’m a sucker for a good power ballad. Even if hope feels like a lie at the moment. A solid 8.75 for me.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. It’s a pretty gorgeous ballad, even if I don’t usually play them much.

    Straight 8 for me. P.S, sending virtual hugs to everyone, I know today’s a really difficult day. Can only hope for a miracle of some sort.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. As I was driving sonny boy last night to his event, I had my own festival of SHINee in the car at full volume to relieve the stress. I came to the full realization that my voice sweet spot is just not placed in the SHINee belt range. I do well enough, and I do Jonghyun’s lines well with his styling, but I sound fan girly mess on Lucifer and not in a good way. Except for Jonghyun’s lines ❤

    Of Doyoung’s two releases this year, I prefer the “Little Light” as it hits his vocal sweet spot better. That area of sonic territory where he sounds like he just owns it and can live and float forever. “Little Light” has a better instrumental too.

    What I hear on this one is that the verses are too low for that sweet spot. Its in that breathy style that boy band soloists tend to revert to, and some people think sounds beautifully vulnerable. I do not. You can do soft without mixing in this much air. The choruses lift up, but the song is half verses.

    Also of note: the mix. His voice sounds mixed behind the instrumental. It sounds muffled. I don’t think its my earbuds, perhaps the youtube mastering version. I don’t spotify, so no idea if it better there.

    Like

    Reply

  6. I give this a 7.25 and I don’t blame Doyoung for that, it’s just that it’s very rare for me to like a ballad song

    Apparently this month will continue to be a little weak compared to the 1st half… Well, every month I place my bets on the release of a preview of an artist’s song. I’m waiting for the preview of TWS, JAY B and NCT DREAM to bet on one. A.C.E has been promoting in a somewhat suspicious way, I think their music will be promising this month.

    My fear is that this superficiality of K-Pop releases will extend until the 1st half of 2025, which is just around the corner.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.